Michelin cuts Tokyo's three-star restaurants, though still most in world

The heads of three-star restaurants selected by the new Michelin Guide Tokyo Yokohama Shonan 2013 guidebook pose at a photo session during the publication announcement party in Tokyo on Nov 28, 2012. Tokyo has retained its tasty title as the Michelin guide's world gourmet capital, although the number of three-star restaurants fell slightly. -- PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Tokyo has retained its tasty title as the Michelin guide's world gourmet capital, although the number of three-star restaurants fell slightly.

This is the sixth consecutive year the capital of food-obsessed Japan has been awarded top honours by the publishers of a guide book regarded by many as a fine-dining resource.

The Tokyo area, including the coastal Shonan area, was also lauded for having the most restaurants bearing three-stars - the Michelin guide's top honour - even though the number slipped to 15 from 17 last year.

"Japanese gourmet cooking is even more creative, inspired and inventive than in the past," said Michelin Ellis, international director of the Michelin guides, on Wednesday.